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It has been a remarkable run for the Blue Jays to claw their way back into meaningful conversation in the AL playoff picture.

We’re not just talking the 11 straight wins accomplished while the Stanley Cup final played out, but the fact the Jays came within two hours on Monday night of going the entire length of that Cup final — 13 days — without losing a baseball game.

The Jays began their club record-tying 11-game victory streak in Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field the night prior to the Bruins-Blackhawks playing Game 1 in the Windy City on June 11.

Toronto’s winning streak ended against the Rays at Tropicana Field, the Jays’ own House of Horrors, just hours before the Bruins coughed up the lead and ultimately the season in a decisive Game 6 in Boston.

When the Cup final started, the Jays were 28-36, 11 games out in the AL East and on a one-game win streak. Heading into play Tuesday night against the Rays, their record had climbed to 38-37 — 5 1/2 games out in the AL East and within three games of a wild-card spot and on a one-game losing streak.

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In addition, all-star shortstop Jose Reyes is set to make his return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Rays, adding some speed and offence at the top of the batting order. His return from a horrific looking ankle injury took 75 days in what was originally predicted to be upward of four months months. The prognosis for his badly sprained ankle had been the all-star break, at the earliest.

Clearly, Reyes’ return will not be nearly in time for the Jays’ ebullient shortstop to earn an appearance at the Midsummer Classic, which this year will be played at Citi Field in New York on July 16, but the Jays may still be well represented by the time the final all-star rosters are announced.

Toronto may have up to three all-stars when all is said and done.

JOSE BAUTISTA

The Jays’ right fielder has been to three straight all-star games and in 2011 was the top vote-getter in fan balloting. In MLB-announced results on June 22, Bautista ranked fourth among AL outfielders with 1,867,367 votes.

That’s less than 50,000 votes behind Nick Markakis of the O’s but just 16,000 ahead of Torii Hunter of the Tigers. Fan voting ends July 4.

A late rush by fans seems the only way Bautista will get in, and Canadian fans have been known to surprise people with their persistence when united in a cause. Bautista has a major-league leading 140 homers over the past four seasons and has led the league twice. Admittedly, his numbers this year and his popularity are down, with 16 homers, 43 RBIs and an .826 OPS.

He needs the fans’ help this time.

EDWIN ENCARNACION

Even though Encarnacion has more than a million votes from fans thus far, he has no chance to catch the runaway leader at DH, David Ortiz of the Red Sox. Even Lance Berkman of the Rangers is ahead of Encarnacion, which is a joke.

But Encarnacion still has a chance in the player vote.

The rules of the event are that the fan vote determines the starter at each position, including DH in the AL. The players’ vote then determines the backup all-star at each spot. If the same person is named by both fans and players, as is likely with Ortiz, then the man finishing second on the player ballot becomes the all-star. Edwin has a good shot at being 1-2 among the players.

First base is loaded with worthy candidates. There’s the surprising Chris Davis of the O’s, Prince Fielder of the Tigers and Mike Napoli of the Red Sox. And there’s always Albert Pujols.

But Encarnacion has all-star worthy numbers — 21 homers, 63 RBIs and an OPS of .893. His best chance remains in recognition by his fellow players.

BRETT CECIL

Just 15 years ago, if you were a middle reliever on a major-league team you had virtually no chance of going to the all-star game unless you bought a ticket.

There were only 10 to 12 pitchers named, and the ones that weren’t starters were high-profile closers. Then along came Jeff Zimmerman of the Rangers who, in 1999 in 35 games before the break, boasted a record of 8-0 with a 0.86 ERA in 52 1/3 innings.

The native of Kelowna, B.C., who grew up in Calgary, had a short-lived major-league career, but in 1999 he opened the all-star door to middle relievers.

Since then, there has seemed to be at least one non-closer in every all-star ’pen.

That opens the door for Cecil.

The 26-year-old former starter has been remarkable as the Jays’ left-handed setup man. Heading into Tuesday’s game, since May 12 Cecil has allowed two hits, three walks (two of them intentional) and 23 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings. Opponents have a .034 batting average over that stretch and he has not allowed a hit in nine appearances since May 28.

Fans don’t vote for pitchers, but players get to name five starters and three relievers, most likely closers

That means if Cecil is to get named to the team it will be because of AL manager Jim Leyland, with advice from his fellow managers and MLB. Recall John Gibbons is a coach on Leyland’s staff this year and that Cecil will have his chance to face the Tigers in a series that starts July 1 t the Rogers Centre.

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